Wednesday, June 25:
Stormy weather; our summer will not settle down. R. works on his score and complains about the players’ growing lack of attention, which forces him to write many more notes, because musicians nowadays give no note its full value, and so he always has to write two notes for one and connect them with a tie.
Family lunch. I talk about Renan’s Saint Paul; the subject is very absorbing. After lunch, reflection together on our love and its various phases: first love, fidelity, last love. Referring to Fidi, R. says that he feels virtually cut off from other people, because they do not see the boy for what he is.
In the afternoon, a walk in the palace gardens, no sitting because too windy. In the evening we began Uhland’s history of poetry in legend with great interest; delight in our library. Since, in connection with the Persian Fermr, Uhland refers to Gorres, we are able to look it up straightaway. R. recalls that Heine used to poke fun at Uhland, a genuine, industrious, sensible German was just the target for a Jew to mock at.
Wonderful delight in these occupations, pure and utter joy; everything else laden with care! While I am reading aloud, R. let out a loud breath. I asked him what was the matter; he said a thought had overcome him, he was thinking of the guidance he intended to give Fidi regarding his reading.